Learning french: what does paumé mean and when should it be used?

AN INFORMAL WAY OF SAYING YOU ARE LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY LOST Je suis complètement paumé… If you hear this phrase while in France, it means that someone feels lost or alone and is in need

of directions or guidance.  We look at the different meanings behind this handy, informal word and suggest some situations where you might be able to use it. WHAT DOES ÊTRE PAUMÉ MEAN?

Describing someone as being paumé implies that they are lost - either physically lost in a geographical location or figuratively lost and in need of guidance.  You might also hear people use

the term un/une paumé(e). It refers to the idea of a person who has lost their grip on reality, or who has been excluded from society. Synonyms include: This word can also be used to

describe somewhere that is far away and isolated. Similarly informal synonyms include: Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say pédaler dans la semoule? WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF

ÊTRE PAUMÉ? Paumé comes from the verb paumer, meaning to lose, while une paume refers to the palm of your hand. In Carolingian times (Early Middle Ages), Frankish pilgrims on the Camino de

Santiago would often get lost in the vast Spanish plains of Navarre. They were referred to by the locals as palmados or paulmados.  This was mockingly translated into pau(l)més, in reference

to those who held out the palm of their hand in a gesture of confusion.  Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of une auberge espagnole WHEN DO YOU SAY ÊTRE PAUMÉ? You can say

this to describe being lost: Use it in a figurative sense to describe someone who feels lost, alone, confused, or detached from reality: * Ce type passe ses journées à boire au bar... il

n'est pas méchant, c'est juste un paumé. - This guy spends his days drinking at the bar… he isn’t mean, he is just a lost soul.  It can also be used to refer to a place that is in

the middle of nowhere: Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say c'est la cour des miracles TO WHOM DO YOU SAY ÊTRE PAUMÉ? It is considered informal language that should mainly

be used around friends and family. You should probably avoid saying this word to work colleagues, important clients or in other formal situations.  Read also: Poto, ami, le sang de la

veine: How to say friends in French If said as a mocking tease, describing someone as being paumé should not cause any serious offence.  If you are not familiar with the person, however,

they may think you are insulting them. If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at:

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